Holding and releasing device for aeroplanes



Feb. 9, 1932. G. w. HOOVER, JR 1,844,506

HOLDING AND RELEASINGWDEVICE FOR AEROPLANES Filed April ll, 1930 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 GEORGE W. HOOVER, JR., OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOLDING AND RELEASING DEVICE FOR AEROPLANES Application-med .April 11,

The invention pertains generally to the handling of aeroplanes prior to the commencement of a Hight and refers more particularly to a device for retaining an aero- 5 plane against movement until the device is operated to release the machine for flight.

In preparing an aeroplane for a flight, it is customary to allow the engine of the aeroplane to run for a considerable length of 10 time in order that the temperature of the engine may reach aproper point before the iiight is started. During this idling or warming-up period, it is necessary to prevent movement of the aeroplane. Heretofore, it

15 has been the practice to place blocks or checks in `iront of the wheels of the landing-gearnof the aeroplane, which blocks are removed by hand or jerked from their position by ropes attached thereto in order to release the aeroplane.

This practice is unsatisfactory inasmuch as there is an element of danger to the mechanic who is removing the blocks. Moreover, it is not always possible by this prior method to release the wheels at substantially the same instant. Another disadvantage results from the temporary nature of the blocks since they may easily become dislodged and thus tree the aeroplane while it is uncontrolled.

1in object ot the invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved device by which the aeroplane is positively maintained against movement while the motor thereof is in operation, said device being operable to release the aeroplane smoothly and quickly only when the pilot is ready to commence a tlight.

irnother object ot' the invention resides in the provision ot wheel-engaging means for preventing movement of an aeroplane, which means is capable oi' simultaneously releasing said wheels for movement.

n.the aims oi' the foregoing objects are attained by providing an obstacle for preventing movement of the wheels of the running-gear which is in the nature ot a receptacle or recessed mcmloerin which the wheels are receivable. The receptacle is arranged with the edges thereof flush with the ground 1930. Serial No. 443,554.

or surface upon which the aeroplane rests and the base of the receptacle possesses the characteristics 'of an elevator of ample power to raise the aeroplane so that the wheels clear the edge of the rece tacle, thereby releasing I6 or freeing the aerop ane for flight. The device includes suitable mechanism for controlling the elevating movement from a remote point.

In the drawings: l

Figure 1 is a slde elevation partially in section of a device embodying the invention.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are views similar to Fig. l showing modified adaptations of the invention.

While'the invention is susceptible of va rous modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail `the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood. that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and* alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of 'the inventionas eipressed in the appended claims.

In the preferred form of the invention as herein illustrated, the device is especially adapted to serve as a permanent installation at landing fields and may be used singly or in groups of two or more.

In the drawings, 10 designates the ground surface upon which an aeroplane 11 rests during the time the engine is allowed to run idle. As shown in Figs. l and 2, the surface may comprise a concrete apron 12 which mayor may not be a part of a hardsurztacerunway.

At a suitable location, an elongatedgrecess 13 traverses the surface, which Becess is of 'im such size that at least the major portion of the diameter of the wheels 14 of the landing gear of the aeroplane may extend thereinto. Generally, the recess will be of somewhat greater width than is necessary in order to accommodate different sizes of wheels. Pref* erably, the walls and bottom of the recess are reinforced by suitable means, such as the concrete walls and bottom 15, 16 shown in Figs.

1 and 2. This construction presents what m0 may be termed an open-faced casing in which he open face is flush withl the ground surace.

The wheels 14` of the landing-gear rest upon and are supported` within the recess by a' platform 17 of any suitable construction, which platform is arranged for vertical reciprocation toward and away from the Open face of the casing. Such reciprocatory movement may be accomplished in any desired manner which is capable of being controlled from a remote point.

In the. present embodiment, the `platform 17 is mounted on the upper end of a vertically disposed piston 18 which in turn fits snugly in a cylinder 19 carried upon a supporting base 20. A conduit 21 controlled by a valve 21a connectsl the cylinder with a suitable source of pressure fluid. Thus, in Fig. 1, the conduit 21 leads to the compression tank 22'of an air compressor unit 23 which is located in a subterranean compartment 24. Preferably. the compartment 24 is positioned laterally of the platform so as to be out of the path of the aeroplane and for convenience a removable' cover 25 permits access to the interior thereof.

The operation of the device is quite simple. Normally the platform 17 is in its raised position in which the. upper surface thereof is flush with the plane of the ground surface. P

lVhen the device is to be used, an aeroplane is wheeled or otherwise moved to position the wheelsthereof upon the platform. rlhe pressure fluid is then exhausted from the cylinder to lower the platform to a desired level. When the engine of the aeroplane is subsequently started, the front edge of the recess forms an abutment (see Fig. 1) or stop which positively prevents movement of the wheels. In order to release the aeroplane from the device, it is only necessary to admit pressure fluid to the cylinder which raises the platform and the wheels to ground level.

The arrangement of parts of the device, as shown in Fig. 1. is adapted for planes of relatively light weight and small capacity. Fig. 2 shows a similar device capable of accommodating aeroplanes of great weight, such as the largepassenger or freight carriers. n this form, the platform 27 is of larger size than that shown in Fig. 1 and is mounted on a pair of pistons 28, respectively actuated by cylinders 29. Pressure fluid is fed to both cylinders from a compressed air storage tank 30 through conduits 31 and substantially simulta cous movement of the pistons is produced y employing a single valve 32 for controlling the conduits to both cylinders.

If desired, a flange member 33 may be secured on opposite sides of the recess to extend inwardly thereof in overlying relation to the sides of the platform when the platform is raised. These members protect the edges of the platform and of the casing as the aeroplane moves onto or from the platform. The members also seal the recess when the device is idle, thus servingto revent dirt and other foreign matter from fa ling into the recess.

Fig. 3 illustrates a simple form of the invention in which the recess is defined by a cast metal, or similarly fashioned, casing 36. A relatively small platform 37 is mounted upon a piston rod 38. The piston rod fits into a tubular cylinder 39, the lower end of which communicates with a compression chamber 40. One unit of this character is provided for each wheel and the source of pressure fluid 41 therefor is located above the ground surface at some remote point. Conduits 42 controlled by. a valve 43 connect the source of pressure with the compression chambers 40.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 embodies hydraulic pressure as the motivating force for the platform and isV used in connection with an arrangement of platform, piston, and cylinder, which is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1. To this end, the pressure fluid is supplied by a pump 50 which 1is driven by a suitable motor 51. The pump is interposed in a conduit 52, 53 which connects the cylinder with a source of water, and control of the movements of the platform may be attained by controlling the operation of the ump. y

The operation of the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 is substantially the same as that of the device illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be apparent, therefore, that a simple and efficiently operating device has been provided` which will positively retain an aeroplane against movement, which device may be quickly actuated to release the aeroplane for flight.

I claim as my invention:

1. A holding and releasing device for aeroplanes comprising, in combination, a surface upon which the aeroplane rests having a recess therein arranged to receive onlyT the wheels of the aeroplane and prevent movement thereof, and means for moving said wheels out of said recess.

2. A holding and releasing device for aeroplanes comprising, in combination, a surface upon which the aeroplane rests having a recess therein arranged to receive only the wheels of the aeroplane and prevent movement thereof, and means for elevating said wheels out of said recess into the plane of said. surface.

3. A holding and releasing device for aeroplanes comprising, in combination, a surface upon which the aeroplane rests' having a recess therein dimensioned to receive only the wheels of the aeroplane to prevent movement of the aeroplane, and a liuid-pressure-operated elevator for lifting said wheels to the level of said surface.

4. A holding and releasing device for aeroplanes comprising, in combination, a surface npon which the aeroplane rests having a recess therein arranged to receive onlyr the wheels of the aeroplane and prevent movei nient thereot, an elevator device for lifting said' Wheels to the level ot said surface, and nieans operable trom a remote point tor controlling the operation of said device.

5. A holding and releasing device tor aerom planes comprising, in combination, a surface upon which the aeroplane may rest, having a wheel receiving' recess therein adapted to prevent movement ot the aeroplane when the ivheels thereof are disposed in said recess, M a reciprocable Wheel-supporting platform constituting the bottoni ot Said recess, and nieans tor controllingr the movements of said plattori'n.

ti. .l holdingy and releasing device tor aeromi planes comprising, in combination, a surface npon which the aeroplane may rest, having a ivheel receiving recess therein adapted to prevent movement of the aeroplane when the ivheels thereof are disposed in said recess, a 15 vertically reciprocable Wheel-supporting plattorin constituting the bottom of said re-y cess and tluid-pressureactuated means for raising' or loweringr said platform.

7. tin aeroplane holding and releasing de-` an vice comprising.) in combination, an aeroplane supporting; surface, an open-taced casing; set into said surface With the openace thereof substantially flush with the plane of said surtade, said casing being ot a size to t5 receive therein the Wheels of an aeroplane, a wheel-supporting platform mounted in said c: sing t'or inoveinent toward or away from the open tace thereof, and Huid-pressureactuated means mounted in said casing and im connected to said platform :tor controlling the nioveinents ot said plattform.

ln testiinonjj,T whereof, l have hereunto attirted rny signature ttliltllt "tE W. HUVER, JR. 

